Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
948. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the farm machinery industry, in view of the current critical shortage of qualified mechanics in the farm machinery industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27579/23]
View answerI am advised that the training of agricultural mechanics, is a matter for SOLAS, the state agency responsible for the Further Education and Training sector in Ireland, and that training is delivered via local Education and Training Boards in respect of the approved apprenticeship training programme (Craft of Agricultural Mechanics). Further information is available from Local Education and Training Board Training Centres.
Teagasc operate under the remit of my Department with responsibility for providing education and training services to the agricultural sector. I understand from Teagasc that is not involved in apprenticeship training of farm mechanics. It does provide a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Agriculture (Mechanisation), which students studying at an agricultural college can take as one of four second year options. The course aims to provide people with the knowledge and skills required for working in the farm machinery industry as skilled machinery operators, agricultural contractors, fabricators or in machinery sales. Some graduates may progress on to the agricultural mechanic apprenticeship with SOLAS and may gain advanced entry on to stage II of the apprenticeship programme.
